Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
STELLA
When a knock comes at the door, I expect it to be one of the neighbors dropping by to visit with Dad and Mom. What I don’t expect is Drew standing at the door, a bouquet of flowers in hand, and a sheepish look on his face.
It’s been over a week, and wow, have I missed him. So much, I wrap my arms round the back of his neck and pull him to me. Only quick thinking saves the flowers as I plant my lips on his. His arms go around me and pull me closer.
When I finally break our lip lock, I have a goofy grin on my face. He hates the city, but he braved congested traffic for me.
“I’ve missed you,” I tell him.
He disentangles himself long enough to pick up the flowers that fell to the porch. “I missed you, too. You didn’t call last night. I got worried.”
“Stella? Who’s at the door?” Mom comes up beside me and lays a hand on my shoulder. “Oh, Drew. Come inside. Are you staying for lunch?”
He glances at me for the answer.
“Yes, he is,” I say.
“Can we go on a walk first?” he asks.
“Of course.”
“Do you want me to put the flowers in water?” Mom asks. “They’re beautiful.”
Drew hands them to her. I take his now free hand and pull him out into the sunshine. We’ve only made it as far as the sidewalk when he stops and pulls me into his arms again. I tuck my head under his chin.
“I love you, Stella.”
Happy tears spring to my eyes. How long have I waited to hear a man tell me those very words? So long. But it’s been worth the wait to have Drew be that man.
“I love you,” I whisper back.
His shoulders relax and his hold on my waist loosens. “I know how much your family means to you. If you decide to stay in Tucson, I’ll follow you here. I hope we'll eventually make it back to Blissful, but if not, just as long as I have you, I’ll be happy.”
I laugh even as I cry into his shoulder.
“I’m coming back to Blissful. Tomorrow, actually.
I’ve only stayed this long because my dad won’t listen to the doctors, and thinks he can get up and walk on his broken foot.
I’ve tried everything to keep him off his feet besides tying him to a chair.
Sorry I worried you when I didn’t call last night.
I lost my phone sometime yesterday and couldn't recall where I left it.”
“Is it still lost?”
“Naomi called Mom. Apparently Penelope was playing with it yesterday. Conrad found it in her bed this morning. I was going to pick it up later today.”
He lets me go and takes my hand. “Come on, let's go on that walk, and you can tell me everything that happened over the last day.”
Saturday afternoon when I park behind the bookstore, I’m so happy to be home.
Drew and Julia kept the updates on their progress infuriatingly vague.
With the opening in less than two weeks, I hope they at least got it spotless and the bookshelves painted so the paint has time to cure.
Books and bookish gifts will start in the next few days.
Once inside, I flip on the lights in the backroom. I leave my bags at the bottom of the stairs to the loft and walk through to the front of the store. The door swings open. I have one second to notice the dozens of people before they all yell, “Surprise!”
I stumble back a step, startled. Drew comes forward and grasps my hand.
“What is this?” I ask.
He pulls me forward. “We’ve been working.”
Only then do I look around, noticing more than the crowd that has gathered. I lift a hand to cover my mouth as I gasp. The store isn’t just clean and painted the exact color of teal I showed Drew weeks ago. Every task on my list to get done before opening day is complete.
The store looks better than I could imagine.
The bookshelves have been sanded down and stained a gorgeous dark walnut.
It’s what I wanted originally, but decided to paint them instead because of time constraints.
The floor is refinished. The bathroom door is on its hinges and looks like it’s always been there.
Even a few of the tables and bookshelves I ordered are set up in the middle of the open area.
One holds cupcakes from Lana’s bakery and plastic wine glasses filled with what looks like fruit punch.
“How did you do this all in a week-and-a-half?” I ask, near tears.
Drew gives me a pointed look. “By asking for help."
Julia steps forward and holds out a few loose leaf pages. Since the last time I saw her, she seems to have blossomed. Drew said she was thriving as she took over more responsibility at the store. He wasn’t exaggerating. I barely recognize the girl I first asked to work in my store.
I take the pages from her hand and leaf through them. They’re beautifully drawn characters from children’s books.
“My art teacher said he would help paint murals on the walls of the second floor if you still want them,” Julia says. “These are some of my ideas.”
“They’re beautiful. I love them.”
Then I really start crying, so full of love and gratitude, I can’t keep the tears back a moment longer. No one seems to mind my emotion as I go around and thank them all for making my dream a reality.
Blissful Books and Gifts grand opening happens at ten o’clock the day after Thanksgiving. I want to give all the shoppers from Tucson time to do their early shopping at the department stores in the city before driving to Blissful. It was a good idea if the line out the door is any indication.
The first person through the door is Mr. Long. His eyes widen as he takes in all the improvements that have been made. Tears stream down his cheeks as he wanders. Before he leaves, he tells me how much his wife would have loved what became of her beautiful store. It’s a compliment I cherish.
Julia stays behind the register for most of the day, as I welcome people into the bookstore and answer questions. Two employees aren’t enough for such a busy day, but Drew, Diane, and Lauren help where they can.
Our biggest seller isn’t books; it’s the tote bag with the logo Julia designed printed on the front. My mom alone buys twenty to give out as Christmas gifts to her friends.
Not all of my family were able to come. Naomi’s family and Dad stayed home for obvious reasons, but Roe FaceTimes them as she walks around the store so they get the full experience.
Lana set up a table full of Christmas sugar cookies with stacks of coupons for ten percent off at her bakery. When customers from out of town leave my place, many of them head directly across the street. I tell you, Lana is a smart business woman.
So many of my customers tell me they saw my videos on social media and ask where Hot Handyman is hanging out.
I point them in Drew’s direction, but not before reminding them he’s my boyfriend, so no flirting.
He’s in and out of the crowds, taking videos of opening day so I can add them to my bookstore’s social media platforms. Whenever he passes by, he makes sure to give me a big kiss. No one seems to mind. Not even Julia.
Some of my favorite customers are Mallory, Caleb, and our friends from Tucson.
Mackenzie, Sandra, and Virginia all buy copies of Hockey My Heart and promise to come back next month for my first book club meeting.
There’s a hesitancy between us as we find our way back to solid friendship, but it means a lot to me that they’ve come.
My most surprising customers are Miles and Quinn. Gossip says they met at Oak Tavern two weeks ago and have become inseparable. She starts a job at Blissful Clothing Co. next week. It seems she’s planning on staying indefinitely.
When they come to congratulate me on the store opening, I ask if Julia and I can visit him at the bank next week. Now that the store is open, we need to figure out the situation with Julia’s grandpa’s house.
By the time we close at six, I’m so tired I think I could sleep for forty-eight hours straight. Not possible, because we’re open six days a week and there is one more day before Sunday.
Julia locks the door after the last person leaves. For the first time since opening the doors eight hours ago, there’s silence.
Drew comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. I lean into his chest. He kisses me just behind my ear, making my body shiver in delight.
“Bravo, Stella. Bravo.”